Topic: News: 2008 USA Olympic Trials

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Georgians try for spots in Olympics
By Andrew B. Adler

Caleb Williams knew his chances of making the 2008 U.S. Olympic weightlifting team were next to nothing.

But that didn't stop the 23-year-old Duluth resident from competing in the 69-kilo weight class at the U.S. Olympic weightlifting trials being held this weekend at the Robert Ferst Center of the Arts on Georgia Tech's campus.

"This is my first time trying out for the Olympic team," said Williams, a fitness trainer at Quest Gym in Duluth. "I just wanted to see how well I could do, knowing that I had another four years to train for the 2012 Olympics."

Nor did it stop his parents, Martin and Laurie Williams, from driving 12 hours straight from their home in Beaver, Pa., to cheer for their son.

Their son was one of 30 hopefuls who were trying to make the men's Olympic weightlifting team. Only the top four finishers — the fourth being an alternate — will represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games in China this summer.

"If he makes the team we would find a way to travel to China as well," Martin Williams said. "Both of us are very proud of what he is trying to accomplish."

"We'd sell our home if we needed to," Laurie Williams added.

Other Georgia residents trying to make the men's Olympic team included Henry Brower of Bloomingdale, also in the 69-kilo class; Chandler Alford of Atlanta, in the 77-kilo class; Joshua Squyres of Savannah, at 94 kilos; and Travis Cooper of Tyrone at 85 kilos.

Georgia women trying to make the Olympic team included Kelly Polly of Atlanta at 48 kilos; Amanda Hubbard of Cumming at 58 kilos; Sarah Davis of Rincon at 58 kilos; Shannon Sheesley of East Point at 63 kilos; Cheryl Haworth of Savannah, 75 kilos; Rachel Hearn and Jenna Bussard, both of Savannah and both in the 75-plus kilo class.

With friends and family urging him on, Williams snatched 114 kilos (251 pounds), 119 kilos (264 pounds) and 123 kilos (271 pounds).

On his first attempt in the clean and jerk, Williams lifted 147 kilos (324 pounds) to his chest before raising it above his head. On his second attempt, the same held true at 155 kilos (341 pounds).

Next up was 158 kilos. He bypassed that, going for for 160 kilos (352 pounds) because it gave him a little more time to rest between attempts.

But he was spent. And, Cecil Bleiker, a spokesman for the trials, acknowledged that Williams' chances to make the U.S. Olympic team were indeed slim.

"That's because we take the top qualifiers based on their combined total in the snatch and clean-and-jerk no matter what their weight class is," Bleiker said, adding that Williams wouldn't be among the top four.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Lance Frye no small contender at U.S. Olympic weightlifting trials
By Kevin Melton

Lance Frye is proof that size doesn’t matter.

Standing at 5-foot-5 and 175-pounds, the former Byrnes football standout never allowed criticism about his size to affect his game play as he led the state in sacks from 1999 through 2001.

Now, Frye is ready to prove himself once again as he prepares to qualify for the Olympics in weightlifting. The trials begin at noon today in Atlanta.

“When I played football, I played nose guard at 165 pounds,” said Frye who now lives in Moorestown, N.J., “After the games the other teams’ players and coaches were coming up to me and congratulating me. I was a beast out there.”

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Lance Frye is hoping to make the U.S. Olympic weightlifiting team.

The Olympic trials consist of both the snatch and clean-and-jerk. The top 10 men and women will compete for three spots in this year’s event held in Beijing.

Frye says that he maxed out at 350 pounds in the snatch and 415 pounds in the clean-and-jerk leading up to the trails and feels confident about his chances.

“I’m going to get an Olympic spot for the south,” he said. “Believe that.”

Frye may be able to show off his throwing ability, too, as the contestant that finishes as the top weightlifter in the trials will toss the first pitch at tonight’s Atlanta Braves game against Oakland.

“I think I’ll throw a knuckleball or fastball … something like that,” Frye said.

“Lance has a real good chance. He continues to strive to improve over time,” Frye’s coach Joseph Delago said. “He’s in the upper echelon of the athletes in the United States. It wouldn’t surprise me much if he makes (the top spot), but I don’t know if he can pitch too well.”

Frye spent much of his preparation trying to perfect his technique. He says that one slip up will ruin all of that practice time.

“If you don’t make one lift, that’s it. You’re done,” he said. “You can open up lightly and then gradually move up in weight, though. If you open up too heavy and don’t make the lift, it’s all over.”

Frye says he’s ready and excited about hopefully making everyone from his hometown proud.

“Everyone represented me and cheered for me in football, and I’m bringing it home for them,” he said. “Size doesn’t mean anything. Your heart just has to be as big as a lion to do it.”

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Good opening day for Savannah lifters at U.S. Olympic trials
Haworth and Brower to lift today
By Adam Van Brimmer

ATLANTA - Charles Hearn wore a bright orange whistle around his neck and a proud smile on his face throughout Friday's U.S. Olympic weightlifting trials.

His facial expression drew more attention than the noisemaker.

Hearn sat rapt as granddaughter Rachel competed in the trials. He saw the little girl he brought to the Herty Elementary School cafeteria and Team Savannah coach Howard Cohen 15 years ago hoist 451 pounds in two lifts. That the effort won't come close to qualifying her for the Olympic team later today did not matter.

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Rachel Hearn reacts after failing her final attempt at the clean and jerk Friday during the U.S. Olympic weightlifting trials in Atlanta. Photo by Richard Burkhart

"I didn't put her in weightlifting for her to win all the time," Charles said. "I told her as long as she enjoyed it and she could compete, that's all I was interested in. I'm mighty proud of her."

The trials' first day was a proud one for many Savannahians. Four local lifters competed, and all four successfully completed the competition.

Sarah Davis bested her previous 2008 total by 6-1/2 pounds and Jenna Bussard made four of her six lifts, and nearly made the weight to earn her a spot on the World University Games team. Joshua Squyres, Savannah's lone male competitor Friday, made five of his six lifts and totaled 704 pounds.

Yet Friday was extra special to Hearn with her grandfather in the audience. Charles raised her from the age of 12, taking Rachel in when her single mother was going through some hard times.

Charles introduced Rachel to weightlifting soon after. He saw the sport as a good form of exercise.

"She was a big girl, and I was afraid she would become obese," he said. "She didn't."

Rachel's size translated into strength instead. She broke six junior records in her first competition, marks that would stand until another teenage weightlifting phenom, Cheryl Haworth, broke them.

Charles made sure Rachel had the moral and financial support to excel in the sport.

She parlayed that start into a respective international career as well as a college degree through the Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University.

"Without his support, I wouldn't be where I am today," Rachel said.

She paid Charles back Friday. He hadn't seen her lift in four years and got choked up during a backstage visit with Rachel prior to the competition.

"I'm just so happy with what she's done," Charles said. "She's not competing with anybody but herself.

"And she did herself proud - and me, too."

On the web

Read Adam Van Brimmer's blogs at savannahnow.com/blogs/armchairqb on today's U.S. Olympic weightlifting trials. Savannah's Cheryl Haworth will begin lifting at noon; Savannah's Henry Brower will start at 2 p.m.

Savannah's Olympic Weightlifting Hopefuls

Jenna Bussard

Snatch: 92 kilos (202.825 pounds)

Clean & jerk: 121 kilos (266.22 pounds)

Total: 213 kilos (468.6 pounds)

Note: Bussard wanted to best her previous high total of 219 kilos (481.8 pounds) or lift at least 216 kilos (475.2 pounds) to put her in line to make the World University Games team. She failed attempts at 98 kilos in the snatch and 126 in the clean and jerk. Making either one would have given her the minimum for the team. "It's very disappointing because I went after doable weights," she said. Bussard has one more chance to make the team at a meet this September.

Joshua Squyres

Snatch: 145 kilos (319 pounds)

Clean & jerk: 175 kilos (385 pounds)

Total: 320 kilos (704 pounds)

Note: Squyres surpassed his goal in the snatch and equaled it in the clean and jerk. He attempted 180 kilos in the clean and jerk and "should have made it." He called the meet a success considering a lingering groin injury hampered his training. "I'm looking forward to a nice long vacation," Squyres said.

Rachel Hearn

Snatch: 90 kilos (198 pounds)

Clean & jerk: 115 kilos (253 pounds)

Total: 205 kilos (451 pounds)

Note: Hearn came into the trials hoping to improve her national ranking from 15th into the top 10 and nearly made the lift that would have put her there. She cleaned 264 pounds and jerked it over her head but couldn't balance the bar enough to complete the lift. "I'm a little disappointed because I didn't make all my lifts," said Hearn, who succeeded on three of her six attempts. "

Sarah Davis

Snatch: 74 kilos (162.8 pounds)

Clean & jerk: 93 kilos (204.6 pounds)

Total: 167 kilos (367.4 pounds)

Note: Davis missed setting a personal record in the clean and jerk when she couldn't get underneath her final attempt. Still, her 167 kilo total is 3 kilos better than her best effort this year. That put her within 4 kilos of meeting the World University Games team minimums. "Anytime you can make four of your six lifts in a meet, it's pretty good," Davis said. "And I was trying weights in the clean and jerk I'd never tried before."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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A winning snatch, clean, jerk for Savannah's Haworth
By Jennifer Brett

Savannah's Cheryl Haworth has made the U.S. Women's Olympic weightlifting team. Competing in the 75+ kilo class, Haworth lifted 114 in the snatch and 139 in the clean and jerk.

"It feels really good," she said Saturday. "I feel like I've gotten another opportunity to represent myself and my country, which is an honor. My goal is to stay healthy and go get a medal."

The weightlifting trials continue at Georgia Tech's Ferst Center today, and the men's team will be determined this afternoon.

Carissa Gump, Natalie Woolfolk and Melanie Roach also made the women's team. Cara Heads is an alternate.

Haworth, 25, said she felt good going in, but didn't take anything for granted.

"I was really stressed, I'm not going to lie," she said, confessing to some recent trouble sleeping. "It's not automatic for anyone."

She says weightlifting has taken her to 15 countries - China will be 16 - and is feeling confident going into the Games.

"A lot of international athletes have forgotten about me," Haworth said.

"They should remember."

It was clear early on that Roach, a 33-year-old from Bonney Lake, Wa., had made the U.S. Women's Olympic weightlifting team. "Mathematically, there's no way anyone can beat her," said organizer Dean Alford as the trials continued.

Roach, competing in the 53 kilo class, lifted 81 kilos in the snatch and 109 in the clean and jerk.

"I was definitely feeling good," said Roach, who took 2000 to 2005 off and had three children. "I'm just on Cloud 9 right now."

Roach, who traveled to Atlanta with a large group of friends and family cheering her on, is an engaging athlete to watch. She flashes a wide smile and gives a triumphant shriek upon successful lifts, then claps as she exits the stage, leaving a trail of chalky clouds in her wake.

"When I came back I just enjoyed it so much more," she said of her hiatus. "I really wanted this."

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Roach, Haworth lead US Olympic women's weightlifting
By Paul Newberry

ATLANTA (AP) — Melanie Roach was supposed to make her first Olympic team in 2000.

Eight years later, she could truly appreciate the thrill.

The 33-year-old mother of three finally fulfilled her Olympic dream Saturday, having overcome the back injury that ruined her expected trip to Sydney.

Roach was the top-rated lifter at the U.S. weightlifting trials, claiming one of four female spots allotted to the Americans. She'll be joined in Beijing by Carissa Gump, Natalie Woolfolk and Cheryl Haworth.

This will be the third Olympics for Haworth, who claimed a bronze medal in her first appearance at the 2000 Sydney Games. The three-member U.S. men's team also was being decided Saturday at Georgia Tech.

Roach's comeback was even more remarkable considering she quit the sport for five years to start a family. When she decided to start lifting again, the pain returned, too, forcing her to undergo surgery in the fall of 2006 shortly after she claimed her sixth national title.

She hooked up with Dr. Robert Bray in Los Angeles, who was performing a procedure known as microdiscectomy that reduced the recovery time. He removed three fingernail-size fragments from her spine, and Roach was up and walking as soon as the anesthesia wore off.

"I knew right away that I was better," she remembered.

Bray surprised Roach by flying across the country to see her lock up a spot on the Olympic team. He walked up from behind and tapped her on the shoulder while she was celebrating in the warmup area.

"Thank you so much, Dr. Bray. You did an amazing job," said John Thrush, Roach's one and only coach since the former gymnast began lifting in 1994.

"When you're working with someone who has that much heart, it makes it easy," Bray replied.

Roach made all three of her lifts in the snatch, the heaviest at just over 178 pounds. As she held the bar above her head, she screamed in delight. After dropping it to the podium, she clapped her chalk-covered hands, threw both arms in the air and bounced off the stage.

She went to the clean and jerk merely having to avoid a total meltdown, and it quickly became apparent Roach wasn't going to let this opportunity get away. She lifted nearly 229 pounds with ease, then locked up her spot by hoisting just under 240 pounds on her second attempt.

Roach let out a yell while posing with the bar above her ahead, realizing this wouldn't be a repeat of 2000. She failed on her final attempt at 244 pounds, but it didn't matter.

She was heading for the Olympics.

"This is far better than anything I expected," Roach said. "If I made the team in 2000, I wouldn't appreciate it nearly as much as I do now."

Haworth, who was the face of American weightlifting when the sport made its Olympic debut at Sydney, has gone through her own trials over the last eight years. She underwent major surgery in 2003 after blowing out her elbow, and she failed to medal in Athens after re-injuring herself on the first snatch attempt.

She also had to fight through a slipped disc in her back, endured the embarrassment of a drunken-driving arrest in her hometown of Savannah, Ga., and went through a couple of coaching changes.

Haworth claimed the final spot on the U.S. team, but she's planning to make a run at a medal in Beijing.

"I'm ranked No. 4 but it doesn't matter at this point," she said. "We're all going to China."

The 25-year-old Haworth easily made all three of her snatches, and needed only one clean and jerk attempt to secure her place on the team.

"I'm really sort of getting my vengeance now," she said with a smile. "I'm ready to get really strong and go compete the way I know how. The last two years, I didn't because I was so injured. My goal is to stay healthy and go get a medal. If I stay healthy, I won't have any trouble at all."

For Roach, the hard part is over. She would love to win an Olympic medal, but just making it to Beijing was her main goal.

Afterward, she savored the moment with her husband and their three young children, including 5-year-old Drew, who is autistic. They all made the trip from Bonney Lake, Wash.

"I'm really proud of my mom for making the Olympics," said 7-year-old Ethan, who will accompany her to China.

Three-year-old Camille jumped into the conversation.

"I am going to the Olympics, too," she said.

Actually, she's not, which Ethan was quick to point out.

"Yes I am," insisted Camille, who then gave her big brother a punch to the chest.

Get ready, Olympics. Team Roach is heading your way — eight years behind schedule.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Farris, Vaughn, Burgener claim spots on Olympic team

ATLANTA (AP) -- Kendrick Farris, Chad Vaughn and Casey Burgener have earned a trip to Beijing, claiming spots on the U.S. Olympic weightlifting team.

Farris was the top-rated lifter during Saturday's Olympic trials at Georgia Tech, while Vaughn finished second. Burgener claimed the final spot with a clean and jerk of 493 pounds on his next-to-last attempt. He fell over backward on the stage in jubilation, having joined his fiancee, Natalie Woolfolk, on the seven-member team.

Woolfolk claimed one of four women's spots earlier Saturday.

Burgener's spot in not yet official, but U.S. officials were told this week they would be able to take a third man because of doping cases involving other countries.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Roach, Haworth top US Olympic women's weightlifting
By Paul Newberry

ATLANTA (AP) — Melanie Roach was supposed to make her first Olympic team in 2000.

Eight years later, she could truly appreciate the thrill.

The 33-year-old mother of three finally fulfilled her Olympic dream Saturday, having overcome the back injury that ruined her expected trip to Sydney.

Roach was the top-rated lifter at the U.S. weightlifting trials, claiming one of four female spots allotted to the Americans. She'll be joined in Beijing by Carissa Gump, Natalie Woolfolk and third-time Olympian Cheryl Haworth.

"This is far better than anything I expected," Roach said. "If I had made the team in 2000, I wouldn't appreciate it nearly as much as I do now."

The three-member U.S. men's team also was decided Saturday at Georgia Tech. Kendrick Farris was the top-rated qualifier, followed by Chad Vaughn and Casey Burgener. Woolfolk and Burgener will be heading to Beijing as a couple; they are engaged and planning to get married in November.

Roach's comeback was even more remarkable considering she quit the sport for five years to start a family. When she decided to start lifting again, the pain returned, too, forcing her to undergo surgery in the fall of 2006 shortly after she claimed her sixth national title.

[attachimg=1]
Former weightlifting champion Melanie Roach reacts after a lift in the clean and jerk during the U.S. Olympic weightlifting trials Saturday May 17, 2008, in Atlanta. Roach placed first in the trials qualifying for a nomination to the U.S. Olympic team. Photo by John Amis.

She hooked up with Dr. Robert Bray in Los Angeles, who was performing a procedure known as microdiscectomy that reduced the recovery time. He removed three fingernail-size fragments from her spine, and Roach was up and walking as soon as the anesthesia wore off.

"I knew right away that I was better," she remembered.

Bray surprised Roach by flying across the country to see her lock up a spot on the Olympic team. He walked up from behind and tapped her on the shoulder while she was celebrating in the warmup area.

"Thank you so much, Dr. Bray. You did an amazing job," said John Thrush, Roach's one and only coach since the former gymnast began lifting in 1994.

"When you're working with someone who has that much heart, it makes it easy," Bray replied.

The 117-pound Roach made all three of her lifts in the snatch, the heaviest at just over 178 pounds. As she held the bar above her head, she screamed in delight. After dropping it to the podium, she clapped her chalk-covered hands, threw both arms in the air and bounced off the stage.

She went to the clean and jerk merely having to avoid a total meltdown, and it quickly became apparent Roach wasn't going to let this opportunity get away. She lifted nearly 229 pounds with ease, then locked up her spot by hoisting just under 240 pounds on her second attempt.

Roach let out a yell while posing with the bar above her ahead, realizing this wouldn't be a repeat of 2000. She failed on her final attempt at 244 pounds, but it didn't matter.

"I really wanted this. I really wanted to be on the Olympic team," Roach said. "It's just an amazing day. I'm so excited."

Haworth was the face of American weightlifting when the sport made its Olympic debut at Sydney, where she won a bronze medal.

She's undergone her own trials since then, including major surgery in 2003 after blowing out her elbow, a slipped disk in her back, the embarrassment of a drunken-driving arrest in her hometown of Savannah, Ga., and a couple of coaching changes.

Haworth, who finished sixth at Athens, claimed the final spot on the U.S. team, but she's planning to make a run at another medal in Beijing.

"I'm ranked No. 4 but it doesn't matter at this point," she said. "We're all going to China."

The 25-year-old Haworth easily made all three of her snatches, and needed only one clean and jerk attempt to secure her place on the team.

"I'm really sort of getting my vengeance now," she said with a smile. "I'm ready to get really strong and go compete the way I know how. The last two years, I didn't because I was so injured. My goal is to stay healthy and go get a medal. If I stay healthy, I won't have any trouble at all."

Farris and Vaughn dominated the men's competition, with the main battle for the final spot. Burgener took it with a clean and jerk of 493 pounds on his next-to-last attempt. He fell over backward on the stage in jubilation.

"It was just a surge of energy," Burgener said. "I can't put it into words. It was like every surge of emotion you can feel all coming down at once."

No one was more relieved that Woolfolk, watching in the crowd with her spot on the team secure.

"It would have been completely bittersweet if I had made it and he didn't," Woolfolk said. "I would have been heartbroken."

Burgener's spot is not yet official, but U.S. officials were told this week they would get a third man because of doping cases involving other countries.

For Roach, the hard part is over. She would love to win an Olympic medal, but just making it to Beijing was her main goal.

Afterward, she savored the moment with her husband and their three young children, including 5-year-old Drew, who is autistic. They all made the trip from Bonney Lake, Wash.

"I'm really proud of my mom for making the Olympics," said 7-year-old Ethan, who will accompany her to China.

Three-year-old Camille jumped into the conversation.

"I am going to the Olympics, too," she said.

Actually, she's not, which Ethan was quick to point out.

"Yes I am," insisted Camille, who then gave her big brother a punch to the chest.

Get ready, Olympics. Team Roach is heading your way — eight years behind schedule.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Farris entertains at US weightlifting trials
By Paul Newberry

ATLANTA — Kendrick Farris may not win a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. No one will be more entertaining.

Farris claimed his first Olympic berth with the top score at the U.S. weightlifting trials on Saturday, and he charmed the crowd with his antics after every successful attempt.

He yelled. He strutted. He posed. Finally, he had someone from the side of the stage toss him a bottle, which Farris sipped from and then sat on the edge of the podium until an official made him take it away.

"That was vitamin water," he said. "I just wanted to show people what I was drinking. It was like a semi-commercial: 'Hey, I like vitamin water. You should try it."'

After locking up a trip to China, Farris came to the interview room holding his 2-year-old son, Khalil, and quickly launched into a story about how weightlifting wasn't his first love.

"I liked table tennis," he said. "I think I could have been an Olympian at that. But all these people were saying I should be playing football. That's what led me into weightlifting, and I guess I made the right choice."

Farris, who trains in Shreveport, La., doesn't play much pingpong anymore. Naturally, his skills on the paddle have suffered.

"Dude, I'm not good at all anymore. It's sad," Farris said. "I used to be so good. I think I could have made it. I used to watch 'Forrest Gump' and say, 'That's what I need to be doing.' That was my goal: to be as good as Forrest Gump."